Road Trip!!!!
From Keysnews:
Vandenberg in Davy Jones' locker"The USS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg is on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, in about 140 feet of water seven miles off Key West. Divers have confirmed that it is sitting upright, with the keel in the sand.The former troop transport ship successfully sunk in about three minutes at about 10:21 a.m. today. After three audible explosions, plumes of smoke rose and the ship slowly descended, apparently settling upright on the bottom. "It's looking good, it's looking good, it's going down straight," Capt. Sheri Lohr said as the Vandenberg gradually disappeared. "For once I'm speechless." Lohr is one of the co-founders of project organizer Artificial Reefs of the Keys.Sinking the 522-foot-long mothballed Navy ship, the world's second-largest artificial reef, was a decade-long project."
This would be incredible to dive as soon as possible and then go back a few years later to see how its changed.
I remember diving on the Mahi Mahi in Hawaii shortly after it was sunk. We've been back a few times since and was amamzing how it changed. Our last visit in 2005 was disapointing. All that's left is a portion of the hull.
Showing posts with label Dive Sites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dive Sites. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Green River Clean Up
Michael at Utahspearfishing.com / Atlantis Divers is sponsoring a Green River clean up on May 23, 2009. If you have never done a drift dive in a river this is your chance. What a blast.
There are some restrictions however. Divers must have at least 50 logged dives have at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Since the clean up will begin just below the dam and it's May, plan on bringing that 7 mm. I dove it in August in a 3mm, but not this time.
Call Michael at (435-789-3616), or stop by Atlantis Divers in Vernal to register.
There are some restrictions however. Divers must have at least 50 logged dives have at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Since the clean up will begin just below the dam and it's May, plan on bringing that 7 mm. I dove it in August in a 3mm, but not this time.
Call Michael at (435-789-3616), or stop by Atlantis Divers in Vernal to register.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sand Hollow Clean Up
Was just checking the calendar for a club in St. George, Washington County Divers and they have a clean up scheduled for May 16. They are also planning a weekend for building a platform on June 27 for everyone to use. Would be nice if we could show some support to the southern part of the state and help out with one or both. May looks a little crazy but what about some of us planning on helping on June 27?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Fate of Titanic Treasures in Judge's Hands
NORFOLK, Va. (March 24) -- Nearly a century after the Titanic struck ice in the North Atlantic, a federal judge in Virginia is poised to preserve the largest collection of artifacts from the opulent oceanliner and protect the ship's resting place.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, a maritime jurist who considers the wreck an "international treasure," is expected to rule within weeks that the salvaged items must remain together and accessible to the public. That would ensure the 5,900 pieces of china, ship fittings and personal belongings won't end up in a collector's hands or in a London auction house, where some Titanic artifacts have landed.
I personally feel that is the right thing to do. Good call Judge Smith. Click on the title link to read the full story and view photos.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, a maritime jurist who considers the wreck an "international treasure," is expected to rule within weeks that the salvaged items must remain together and accessible to the public. That would ensure the 5,900 pieces of china, ship fittings and personal belongings won't end up in a collector's hands or in a London auction house, where some Titanic artifacts have landed.
I personally feel that is the right thing to do. Good call Judge Smith. Click on the title link to read the full story and view photos.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Wreckage At The Crater
A week or so ago I read that one of the 'hot tubs' OK benches had broken off of the side of the dock at the Crater. My first thought was I wonder what the people sitting inside thought when it let go. Then I hoped it didn't come to rest so it was leaning against the side. All we need is some 'knuckle head' to swim under there and get stuck or muck up the vis more than it usually is. Well this past weekend we had some classes scheduled for the Crater so I was all excited to see the 'wreckage' like everyone else. You know you need an ocean dive when your excited about something on the bottom of the Crater. On one of the dives we ventured down to the diamond for some buoyancy drills and sure enough there it is. Had this flashback of Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Vacation standing on the edge and looking at the Grand Canyon ....yup there it is...let's go.
Well the good news is nobody will get under it to get stuck. The bad news is everbody (self included) wants to go down and look at it. The Crater has plans to break it up and clean it up but no time has been set. In the mean time to curtail the curious they have a sign on the rope. "Do not go below this sign." Makes you wonder how many people can't read or obey some of the simplest requests. So on our dive we made a depth limit of 50 feet. With or without lights we could see the 'wreckage' pretty well. While we're lurking around the triangle here comes a couple 'knuckle heads' down the rope, past the sign on their way to the bottom. Ohh my, what do they spot...you got it..the wreckage. What did we see? Not much except a silt blum.
Let's all remember to please stay off the walls and bottom. The good news is the space left by the dock is a great place to rest, grab a drink of water, debrief and best of all it's not affected by the Crater current. That will be another post in itself.
Dive safe
Well the good news is nobody will get under it to get stuck. The bad news is everbody (self included) wants to go down and look at it. The Crater has plans to break it up and clean it up but no time has been set. In the mean time to curtail the curious they have a sign on the rope. "Do not go below this sign." Makes you wonder how many people can't read or obey some of the simplest requests. So on our dive we made a depth limit of 50 feet. With or without lights we could see the 'wreckage' pretty well. While we're lurking around the triangle here comes a couple 'knuckle heads' down the rope, past the sign on their way to the bottom. Ohh my, what do they spot...you got it..the wreckage. What did we see? Not much except a silt blum.
Let's all remember to please stay off the walls and bottom. The good news is the space left by the dock is a great place to rest, grab a drink of water, debrief and best of all it's not affected by the Crater current. That will be another post in itself.
Dive safe
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Return To Blue Lake
They say some things never change. On October 25 we ventured back to Blue lake for a specialty class after a long hiatus. I don't think I had been there since my Instructor Exam (IE) back in 1995.
Congratulations to Ron, Scott and Tyler for completing the Dry Suit course.
The road hasn't changed. It's still five miles of washboards, but travelers have taken it upon themselves to venture of the trail. A new 'road' runs adjacent to the old for most of the way. Once at the 'parking lot, it all comes back in a flash. There it is, the boardwalk. Although a bit improved. Janine and I were making fun that in the 'old days' we used to carry our gear through the mud and at times would sink to our hips. Some of us it would be the knees. The entry area has changed that's for sure. Dock and ladders are in place. What really struck me was the 'bay' that most enter through. Over the course of many years of people sliding off the bank they have created a 'bay'. Really seeing the impact of this was when we got into the water. Where were the fish? Yes we saw the typical blue gill and bass, but they lacked size and numbers. Where was the vegetation and where was the bottom? A trip back to memory lane. Fish used to hang around the platforms in numbers and the sides and bottom were once a blanket of vegetation. The depth used to be at 60 feet. Now it's a mere 51. You can really see the impact of all of this. The impact was everywhere. Guidelines had broken and were left hanging right next to the new lines that had been installed. Broken PVC pipe from an old navigation course was left. Just general 'garbage' around.
In December we are planning a return trip for more classes. As part of that I'm taking my tools and goody bag and doing my part by cleaning up what I can. It is now one of my dive sites.
I recently read a post on a website or forum about a group from Clearfield(?) that organized a major cleanup. I applaud your efforts whom ever you are. Remember it's 'our' dive site. Let's keep it clean.
Congratulations to Ron, Scott and Tyler for completing the Dry Suit course.
The road hasn't changed. It's still five miles of washboards, but travelers have taken it upon themselves to venture of the trail. A new 'road' runs adjacent to the old for most of the way. Once at the 'parking lot, it all comes back in a flash. There it is, the boardwalk. Although a bit improved. Janine and I were making fun that in the 'old days' we used to carry our gear through the mud and at times would sink to our hips. Some of us it would be the knees. The entry area has changed that's for sure. Dock and ladders are in place. What really struck me was the 'bay' that most enter through. Over the course of many years of people sliding off the bank they have created a 'bay'. Really seeing the impact of this was when we got into the water. Where were the fish? Yes we saw the typical blue gill and bass, but they lacked size and numbers. Where was the vegetation and where was the bottom? A trip back to memory lane. Fish used to hang around the platforms in numbers and the sides and bottom were once a blanket of vegetation. The depth used to be at 60 feet. Now it's a mere 51. You can really see the impact of all of this. The impact was everywhere. Guidelines had broken and were left hanging right next to the new lines that had been installed. Broken PVC pipe from an old navigation course was left. Just general 'garbage' around.
In December we are planning a return trip for more classes. As part of that I'm taking my tools and goody bag and doing my part by cleaning up what I can. It is now one of my dive sites.
I recently read a post on a website or forum about a group from Clearfield(?) that organized a major cleanup. I applaud your efforts whom ever you are. Remember it's 'our' dive site. Let's keep it clean.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Bear Lake What A Site
What a site. We decided that for the Dry Suit Specialty we would venture to Cisco Beach at Bear Lake. Congratulations to Brenden, Dick, Jessica and Josh for hanging in there and braving the cold. So how was the dive? Clear and cool. The visibility was close to 25 feet with a surface temperature of 63 degrees. We found a few thermoclines. One at about 20 feet (59 degrees) and then another one that got your attention at 40 feet (54 degrees) and at 45 feet it was a balmy 51 degrees.
Added bonus. When we got there three divers from Bear Lake Dive Team were getting ready to sink a boat. Cool something new to see. Seems they tried the previous day but failed due to excessive buoyancy. So on Saturday they came back prepared. Tore out the gun rails and remove all the foam and plywood that was still attached. After putting some well placed holes in the bottom they were ready to push it out. After helping give a gentle nudge it was on its way. At 11:00 the Cisco was submerged in about 30 feet of water. Actually the stern is resting at 34 feet and the bow at 39 feet.
Coordinates 111 16’ 42” W 41 57’ 11” N
Added bonus. When we got there three divers from Bear Lake Dive Team were getting ready to sink a boat. Cool something new to see. Seems they tried the previous day but failed due to excessive buoyancy. So on Saturday they came back prepared. Tore out the gun rails and remove all the foam and plywood that was still attached. After putting some well placed holes in the bottom they were ready to push it out. After helping give a gentle nudge it was on its way. At 11:00 the Cisco was submerged in about 30 feet of water. Actually the stern is resting at 34 feet and the bow at 39 feet.
Coordinates 111 16’ 42” W 41 57’ 11” N
Thursday, April 10, 2008
New Utah Dive Site
Picked this up this morning from the Daily Herald.
For those outside of 'happy valley' A.F. is Americian Fork
Thursday, 10 April 2008 A.F. may use reservoir for scuba, kayaking
Barbara Christiansen - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Lessons in kayaking, canoeing and scuba could be a part of the new secondary irrigation reservoir to be built near the Fox Hollow Golf Course, if state and federal officials give the proposal their approval.
The proposal is an attempt to meet requirements to have the American Fork property continue to have recreation uses. The land was included in property granted to the city to be used for recreational purposes. If that use does not continue, the property would revert to state ownership. Another option would be to mitigate the property with other land that would have new recreational uses, but city officials considered that more expensive and time-consuming.
The city had proposed putting trails and picnic benches around the reservoir, but when they met with Seth McArthur, who coordinates state and federal grants, they got the message that there needed to be more.
Howard Denney, director of public works, said McArthur first indicated that his experience told him the trails and picnic area would not be enough for the federal government to call it recreational property.
"We did it level by level, adding onto it," Denney said. "When we got to the scuba park, there was a brightening of his demeanor. He told us that if we could provide a recreational activity not available in the area, it would go a long ways toward solving the problem."
City engineer Andy Spencer said the canoeing and kayaking lessons would be under the city's recreation department. The city would probably turn over the scuba lessons to an outside entity.
All programs would be available only from April to October when there is water in the reservoir. As the city grows closer to being fully built out, there may be times of the day when the water level is too low to conduct the lessons, even during the summer months, Spencer said.
In a meeting last week, the council members mulled the options.
"It seems like a minimal cost to provide this," said Councilman Dale Gunther. "In my opinion, we have got to find recreation use for this, and [scuba] makes sense to me."
Recreation director Derric Rykert was enthusiastic.
"I'm actually excited about it," he said. "I think it is some opportunities we don't have."
Denney said the city's current proposal would first be reviewed by the state Parks and Recreation Department, then sent on to representatives of the federal government.
"I am just guessing, but it could perhaps take a month or so," Denney said.
Until the city gets federal approval, construction of the reservoir is on hold.
For me this is a great idea putting a diveable body of water on a golf course. This will help feed my other passion..golf..less money spent on balls and what a better way to spend a surface interval.
I know there is another site under consideration in Utah County that is geothermal that will be 'similar' to Seabase, Belmont Springs and the 'Crater'. ie: commercial operation.
For those outside of 'happy valley' A.F. is Americian Fork
Thursday, 10 April 2008 A.F. may use reservoir for scuba, kayaking
Barbara Christiansen - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Lessons in kayaking, canoeing and scuba could be a part of the new secondary irrigation reservoir to be built near the Fox Hollow Golf Course, if state and federal officials give the proposal their approval.
The proposal is an attempt to meet requirements to have the American Fork property continue to have recreation uses. The land was included in property granted to the city to be used for recreational purposes. If that use does not continue, the property would revert to state ownership. Another option would be to mitigate the property with other land that would have new recreational uses, but city officials considered that more expensive and time-consuming.
The city had proposed putting trails and picnic benches around the reservoir, but when they met with Seth McArthur, who coordinates state and federal grants, they got the message that there needed to be more.
Howard Denney, director of public works, said McArthur first indicated that his experience told him the trails and picnic area would not be enough for the federal government to call it recreational property.
"We did it level by level, adding onto it," Denney said. "When we got to the scuba park, there was a brightening of his demeanor. He told us that if we could provide a recreational activity not available in the area, it would go a long ways toward solving the problem."
City engineer Andy Spencer said the canoeing and kayaking lessons would be under the city's recreation department. The city would probably turn over the scuba lessons to an outside entity.
All programs would be available only from April to October when there is water in the reservoir. As the city grows closer to being fully built out, there may be times of the day when the water level is too low to conduct the lessons, even during the summer months, Spencer said.
In a meeting last week, the council members mulled the options.
"It seems like a minimal cost to provide this," said Councilman Dale Gunther. "In my opinion, we have got to find recreation use for this, and [scuba] makes sense to me."
Recreation director Derric Rykert was enthusiastic.
"I'm actually excited about it," he said. "I think it is some opportunities we don't have."
Denney said the city's current proposal would first be reviewed by the state Parks and Recreation Department, then sent on to representatives of the federal government.
"I am just guessing, but it could perhaps take a month or so," Denney said.
Until the city gets federal approval, construction of the reservoir is on hold.
For me this is a great idea putting a diveable body of water on a golf course. This will help feed my other passion..golf..less money spent on balls and what a better way to spend a surface interval.
I know there is another site under consideration in Utah County that is geothermal that will be 'similar' to Seabase, Belmont Springs and the 'Crater'. ie: commercial operation.
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